Abstract: The presently described catheter is an improved multi-function hypospadias catheter adapted to be urethrally inserted and secured within a patient's bladder using an attached internal crescent shaped retention balloon. The inverted crescent configuration of the balloon reduces the contact surface area between the balloon and a patient's bladder wall to reduce bladder spasms. The catheter is removed from the patient (when needed) via deflation of the crescent shaped balloon, which deflates completely so as to not contact a patient's urethra during insertion and removal of the catheter. The catheter includes a double lumen with a one-way flow valve. One lumen provides a passageway to drain urine from a patient's bladder. The second lumen provides a passageway to inflate and deflate the crescent shaped retention balloon.

Abstract: A pyelo-ureteral stent is provided that combines the benefits of a stent having a lumen with the benefits of a lumen-less stent. In one example, the stent may be implanted in a patient for use during and after a pyeloplasty procedure. The provided stent includes a flexible tube having two separate lumens. Each lumen terminates prior to the stent's closed distal end, which enables a lumen-less ureteric limb at the stent's closed distal end. The lumen-less ureteric limb may have a smaller diameter than the rest of the stent, and may be positioned in a patient's ureter to bridge the pyeloplasty repair, thereby providing the benefits of a lumen-less stent. The flexible tube may be formed with at least one perforated coil for the drainage of urine and/or blood. The stent may be removed from the patient without the use of a cystoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A subterranean irrigation system (100) has a plurality of fluid conduit (130) for applying a liquid from a source to an area of ground, to which said liquid is to applied while avoiding interference with the above-ground use of such area, wherein the fluid conduits (130) are connected (140; 500) relative to one another and wherein the plurality of fluid conduits (130) comprise a plurality of outlets to effect the distribution of the liquid to the ground area, wherein the plurality of outlets (600;621, 622, 623; 800; 821, 822, 823) are provided at an underside (602, 802) of a nose-shaped spout attachment (600, 800), wherein the spout attachment (600; 800) is attached at the side in the upper half of the fluid conduit (130; 230; 720) and wherein the underside (602; 802) comprises a rounded surface starting tangentially from the outer diameter of the fluid conduit (130; 230; 720) and ends in the nose-shaped free end of the spout attachment (600; 800).

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine generator having a support stand (11), a shaft (41) defining the longitudinal direction and axis (19) of the generator. Two rotating members (12, 13) are coupled to the support stand (11) and the upper end of the shaft (41), thus being enabled to rotate about the axis (19). Two or more blades (14, 24, 34) having two free ends (15, 16) are connected by connecting members (17 and 18) to the two rotating members (12, 13), wherein movement of the first and/or second rotating members (12, 13) towards or away from one another causes the blades (14, 24, 34) to move further from, or closer to, the shaft (41).

Abstract: A subterranean irrigation system (100) has a plurality of fluid conduit (130) for applying a liquid from a source to an area of ground, to which said liquid is to applied while avoiding interference with the above-ground use of such area, wherein the fluid conduits (130) are connected (140; 500) relative to one another and wherein the plurality of fluid conduits (130) comprise a plurality of outlets to effect the distribution of the liquid to the ground area, wherein the plurality of outlets (600;621, 622, 623; 800; 821, 822, 823) are provided at an underside (602, 802) of a nose-shaped spout attachment (600, 800), wherein the spout attachment (600; 800) is attached at the side in the upper half of the fluid conduit (130; 230; 720) and wherein the underside (602; 802) comprises a rounded surface starting tangentially from the outer diameter of the fluid conduit (130; 230; 720) and ends in the nose-shaped free end of the spout attachment (600; 800).

Abstract: The presently described catheter is an improved multi-function hypospadias catheter adapted to be urethrally inserted and secured within a patient's bladder using an attached internal crescent shaped retention balloon. The inverted crescent configuration of the balloon reduces the contact surface area between the balloon and a patient's bladder wall to reduce bladder spasms. The catheter is removed from the patient (when needed) via deflation of the crescent shaped balloon, which deflates completely so as to not contact a patient's urethra during insertion and removal of the catheter. The catheter includes a double lumen with a one-way flow valve. One lumen provides a passageway to drain urine from a patient's bladder. The second lumen provides a passageway to inflate and deflate the crescent shaped retention balloon.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly (10) having a stand (30), a solar panel platform (20, 120) and one or more directional mechanisms (40; 404, 414) connecting the stand (30) with the solar panel platform. One or more optical elements (50; 161, 162) are provided at all or portions of the edges (24) of the platform around the solar panel directing the light under the platform (20, 120) or towards its underside (22), and then to the ground (31) under or near the solar panel assembly. One or more of the optical elements (161, 162) are mounted on an inner side of a profile (160). The profile (160) is connected via a web (164) to the solar panel platform (120) and the web is connected with a drive within the platform. The connection of the web extends the profile from the platform creating a passage (124) between the profile and the platform.

Abstract: A wind protection device for a building has lateral face elements (630) positioned at a distance from an inner building wall (631) creating at least one riser shaft (239) for air. The lateral face element (630) is closed at lateral sides, wherein the wind protection device further has at least one lower air entry element (620, 620?) connected to at least one riser shaft (239) and at least one upper virtual ledge (620?; 643) connected to at least one riser shaft (239) having an outlet opening directing the air flow from the connected riser shaft(s) (239) to the area in front and above the respective upper virtual ledge (620?, 643). The lateral face element (630) has a sequence (650) of side air entries (651, 651?, 651?) connected with at least one riser shaft (239).

Abstract: A solar tracking device having: a primary optical sensor (30); at least two auxiliary optical sensors (70a, 70b); and a housing. The housing has an upper surface (80) with a central hole (100; 62; 82) below which the primary sensor (30) is disposed and light wells (22; 25), disposed laterally around the central hole (100; 62; 82), in which each of the respective auxiliary sensors (70a, 70b) is disposed. Each light well (22; 25) has a bottom surface (15) on which the associated auxiliary sensor (70a, 70b) is disposed, an aperture (84) in the upper surface, and sidewalls (22) connecting the upper surface and the bottom surface. One of the sidewalls (22) is a light-reflective surface (25) disposed parallel to a tangent of the central hole, all other sidewalls being light-absorbing.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine generator having a support stand (11), a shaft (41) defining the longitudinal direction and axis (19) of the generator. Two rotating members (12, 13) are coupled to the support stand (11) and the upper end of the shaft (41), thus being enabled to rotate about the axis (19). Two or more blades (14, 24, 34) having two free ends (15, 16) are connected by connecting members (17 and 18) to the two rotating members (12, 13), wherein movement of the first and/or second rotating members (12, 13) towards or away from one another causes the blades (14, 24, 34) to move further from, or closer to, the shaft (41).

Abstract: A wind protection device for a building has lateral face elements (630) positioned at a distance from an inner building wall (631) creating at least one riser shaft (239) for air. The lateral face element (630) is closed at lateral sides, wherein the wind protection device further has at least one lower air entry element (620, 620?) connected to at least one riser shaft (239) and at least one upper virtual ledge (620?; 643) connected to at least one riser shaft (239) having an outlet opening directing the air flow from the connected riser shaft(s) (239) to the area in front and above the respective upper virtual ledge (620?, 643). The lateral face element (630) has a sequence (650) of side air entries (651, 651?, 651?) connected with at least one riser shaft (239).

Abstract: A solar panel assembly (10) having a stand (30), a solar panel platform (20, 120) and one or more directional mechanisms (40; 404, 414) connecting the stand (30) with the solar panel platform. One or more optical elements (50; 161, 162) are provided at all or portions of the edges (24) of the platform around the solar panel directing the light under the platform (20, 120) or towards its underside (22), and then to the ground (31) under or near the solar panel assembly. One or more of the optical elements (161, 162) are mounted on an inner side of a profile (160). The profile (160) is connected via a web (164) to the solar panel platform (120) and the web is connected with a drive within the platform. The connection of the web extends the profile from the platform creating a passage (124) between the profile and the platform.

Abstract: A solar tracking device having: a primary optical sensor (30); at least two auxiliary optical sensors (70a, 70b); and a housing. The housing has an upper surface (80) with a central hole (100; 62; 82) below which the primary sensor (30) is disposed and light wells (22; 25), disposed laterally around the central hole (100; 62; 82), in which each of the respective auxiliary sensors (70a, 70b) is disposed. Each light well (22; 25) has a bottom surface (15) on which the associated auxiliary sensor (70a, 70b) is disposed, an aperture (84) in the upper surface, and sidewalls (22) connecting the upper surface and the bottom surface. One of the sidewalls (22) is a light-reflective surface (25) disposed parallel to a tangent of the central hole, all other sidewalls being light-absorbing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a rotor system, particularly for use in a wind turbine generator system. A support (11) is provided having first and second rotating members (12, 13) coupled thereto, the rotating members being able to rotate about a common axis. One or more flexible blades (14, 15) having at least two ends are provided, one end being mounted on the first rotating member and another end being mounted on the second rotating member, so that they may rotate about the common axis. Actuating means are provided, being arranged to cause the ends of each blade to move closer together by movement of at least one of the rotating members along the common axis. The first and second rotating members are arranged to rotate relative to each other, said rotation allowing the flexible blades to coil around an axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a rotor system, particularly for use in a wind turbine generator system. A support (11) is provided having first and second rotating members (12, 13) coupled thereto, the rotating members being able to rotate about a common axis. One or more flexible blades (14, 15) having at least two ends are provided, one end being mounted on the first rotating member and another end being mounted on the second rotating member, so that they may rotate about the common axis. Actuating means are provided, being arranged to cause the ends of each blade to move closer together by movement of at least one of the rotating members along the common axis. The first and second rotating members are arranged to rotate relative to each other, said rotation allowing the flexible blades to coil around an axis.